When to plant in Ferndale, WA
USDA Zone 8bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Ferndale, Washington — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Ferndale, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Ferndale is now 11 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
BELLINGHAM INTL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Ferndale’s own odds, recorded at BELLINGHAM INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 12 | Apr 25 | Apr 7 | Sep 30 | Oct 13 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F | Apr 18 | Mar 31 | Mar 10 | Oct 12 | Oct 30 | Nov 17 |
| 28°F | Mar 25 | Mar 4 | Feb 9 | Oct 27 | Nov 16 | Dec 8 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Ferndale, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Ferndale planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Ferndale, WA?
On average, the last spring frost in Ferndale is around March 31 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Ferndale, WA?
The first fall frost in Ferndale typically arrives around October 30 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Ferndale in?
Ferndale is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Ferndale?
There are roughly 213 frost-free days in Ferndale (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 31 to the first fall frost near October 30.
When should I plant tomatoes in Ferndale?
In Ferndale, start tomato seeds indoors around February 3–February 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Ferndale
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Ferndale’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Birch Bay · 14 km
- Bellingham · 14 km
- Lynden · 15 km
- Anacortes · 41 km
- Sedro-Woolley · 46 km
- Burlington · 47 km
- Mount Vernon · 53 km
- Oak Harbor · 62 km
Frost dates recorded at BELLINGHAM INTL AP, 8 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Ferndale, WA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024217. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/washington/ferndale.